Lecture: Ideology and Public Policy Tuesday, February 01, 2011 10:03 AM

Background • Americans not ideologically-centered… more pragmatic ○ Americans often vote outside their political party (not rigid ideologies) ○ Stronger political parties in Europe, sometimes enumerated within their constitutions (political parties not even mentioned in Constitution…) Liberalism • Classic Liberalism: (like conservatives) ○ Government is chief threat to liberty  government must be limited! (less government is better) ○ Primary role of government: protecting property rights • Modern Liberalism: (started with Franklin D. Roosevelt  "New Deal" Liberals) ○ Corporations are chief threat to liberty ○ Strong central government necessary to control government; "government will solve all problems" ○ Primary role of government: protect well-being of people ○ Kicked off Democratic dominance in national politics (after New Deal) • "Neo Liberals": (started with modern Democrats like Bill Clinton; left to middle) ○ More moderate than "New Deal" Liberals ○ "Government can play major role in solving all problems"  will stop to consider to see if government can be most effective in solving the problem Degree of Government Intervention (Most government involvement)

Modern Liberalism

"Neo Liberals"

Classic Liberalism

(Least government involvement)

Conservatism • Modern Conservatism: (resurgence in 1970s) ○ Limited government ○ Government should focus on protecting property rights ○ Focus on letting private industry, not government, handle everything ○ Similar to classic liberalism ○ Supported mostly in solid South • Neo Conservatives: (right to far right; not a unified group) ○ Social Neo Conservatives  conservatives on social issues; "religious right" and "Christian fundamentalists"  Focus: abortions, prayer in public schools, gay marriage, teaching of evolution in schools ○ Economic Neo Conservatives  complete free market/laissez faire capitalism  Let market solve the problems in the marketplace  Problem: more pollution, monopolies, abusive labor practices, etc. ○ Neo-Isolationists  take care of Americans first and don't get involved outside...  No United Nations, International Monetary Fund (IMF), etc. ○ Neo-Interventionists  intervene anywhere in the world to spread democracy • Compassionate Conservatives: (try to appear moderate to deceive the voters) ○ Budget = moral document  involves healthcare, education, etc. (should do the right thing) Socialism/Communitarian • Socialism/Communitarian: means of exchange and production are significantly controlled by government (more accepted in Europe) ○ Government owns some shares in corporation; labor unions own shares in corporation Europe: transportation is controlled by government Unit 2 Political Beliefs and Behaviors Page 1

○ Europe: transportation is controlled by government ○ Americans focus on American Dream/government distrust Libertarianism • Libertarianism: as little government action as possible ○ Protect property  protect me from violence, and nation from invasion ○ Each individual is capable of making own decisions (and dealing with the consequences) ○ Best government = government which governs least or not at all. ○ "Do whatever you want, as long as you don't hurt others."

Unit 2 Political Beliefs and Behaviors Page 2